Chapter 188: Adding Fuel to the Backyard Fire
Wen Yu reacted quickly and looked over. She saw a few women she didn’t recognize.
They were all looking at her, but there didn’t seem to be anything special.
She thought she was overthinking it and didn’t pay it any mind.
In fact, the one who was glaring at her just now was Du Liu!
The master from the Qin family and Magistrate Zhang’s teacher are old friends.
When the Zhang family came to the capital, Du Liu received a letter and went to visit them. For the sake of Zhang Moqing’s wedding, she postponed her return home.
To be honest, Du Liu didn’t want to take things to this point with Madam Qi. If there was a chance to mend their relationship, she certainly wouldn’t let it go.
Since Zhang Moqing was one of Madam Qi’s daughters-in-law, getting close to her might be useful.
Today’s wedding, the Jiang family received an invitation from the Qi family.
Qin Lianyue ran to Du Liu to discuss whether she should go to the Qi family with her mother-in-law or to the Zhang family with her mother.
But Du Liu stopped her.
She frightened her, saying, “My relationship with Cui Fengying hasn’t eased yet, and with her temperament, she’ll humiliate you on the spot. What can you do about it? We can’t even avoid her, and you want to go closer? What are you thinking?”
“Then I’ll go to the Zhang family with you and see that bitch Wen Yu!”
“What’s the point of seeing her? If she’s doing well, you’re just adding to your own misery. If she’s not doing well, you won’t gain anything from it. It has nothing to do with you at all! Just stay put!”
This was the first time Du Liu had seen Wen Yu.
From afar, her heart skipped a beat. As she got closer and saw her clearly, she held her breath…
Wen Yu was so beautiful? And so flamboyant?
In terms of charm, she might not be as good as her daughter.
But this captivating beauty… her daughter couldn’t compete with that.
Fortunately, that girl didn’t come today, otherwise…
No, I have to go back and warn her. What if she does something foolish after I’m gone?
Ai, Lianyue’s temperament! Having given birth to her, I really have to worry about her for a lifetime!
There was a commotion, the groom had arrived!
✿✿✿
At the Qi residence, Xu Shi was carefully examining Zhang Moqing’s dowry…
Ordinary and unremarkable!
The daughter of a successful candidate in the imperial examination, in order to marry into the Qi family, they probably emptied their entire family fortune.
Moreover, the first item carried in was a set of books!
Showing off that they’re a family of scholars?
Truly poor and pedantic!
Xu Shi didn’t know that this set of “Annotated Collection of Qi Zi” was out of print and extremely valuable! Even if you had the money, you couldn’t buy it!
Seeing Madam Qi dressed so elaborately with a sincere smile, Xu Shi felt a pang of jealousy.
Concubine Liu was very unhappy with this marriage! But yesterday Qi Si talked to her about it. And just now, she was given a glare by Madam Qi.
She became a bit more obedient, thinking that she would have a chance to speak up later!
Qi Youyi was also unhappy with this marriage, but he was powerless to stop it, his face grim.
But it seemed no one cared about his feelings!
In fact, he didn’t care much either. Instead, he was thinking: On such a grand day, Xiu Lan didn’t appear, truly a lifetime of injustice for her!
Tan Shi had specially invited the Jiang family, she wanted the newly married Second Madam to meet Madam Qi.
If they could spark some conflict, wouldn’t that add to the excitement of the wedding?
Unexpectedly, the Duchess of Jingguo only brought her eldest daughter-in-law.
The eldest daughter-in-law looked very much like her. The two of them were talking and laughing non-stop, more like a mother and daughter.
Tan Shi asked, “I didn’t get a chance to see your new daughter-in-law that day she entered the household. Later I heard she was exceptionally beautiful, I thought you would bring her today!”
The Duchess of Jingguo smiled and said, “She is exceptionally beautiful! And well-mannered! It’s just that her health is a bit weak. My eldest daughter-in-law has been taking care of her with various nourishing foods every day, she’s recovering quickly, ready to bear children for the Jiang family!”
Tan Shi grinned, well, that’s interesting. Before anyone said anything, you brought up her poor health yourself.
She moved closer to the Duchess of Jingguo and said, “I heard that your second daughter-in-law is related to Youyi’s wife?!”
She stared intently at the Duchess of Jingguo.
The Duchess of Jingguo didn’t take it seriously, “It seems there is some relation, but they haven’t been in contact much lately. One is a civil official, the other a military official… you know how it is!”
Civil officials and military officials sometimes look down on each other, it’s quite common.
Tan Shi failed to instigate anything, she didn’t press further, she understood the principle of not overdoing it.
……
✿✿✿
With all the masters of the Wen family out, the house became quiet.
Wen Yu brought Xiao Ji and Qing He with her today. Laba had disappeared somewhere, leaving only Hong Xing in the room.
Qiu Yan, the senior maid serving Wen Huan, came over, “Hong Xing? What are you doing?!”
Hong Xing had lost even the will to dress up. Lately, in order to appear diligent, she was always working. The capital was dry, and her little hands were rough. Only now, with some free time, did she remember to apply some oil.
“Oh, you’re really all alone?! Did Eldest Miss really forget you exist?”
Hong Xing said irritably, “Didn’t Second Miss leave you behind too?!”
“I’m on my period today, how could I attend a wedding?!”
“Would they even bring me?” Hong Xing was dissatisfied, it had been a long time since she went out with the Miss.
“I talked to our Madam about Chun Yan’s matter the other day, it’s settled. We’re going out at the end of the year!”
“Really going out?!”
“Yes, her cousin has property and a business, she’ll be going out to be a Madam!”
“Then, what about you?”
“Well, to be honest, I’ve already thought about my own future.”
“What are you thinking?” Hong Xing stared at her and asked.
“Among the dowry servants Madam arranged for Miss, the housekeeper is called Li Zhong, his eldest son is handsome, he’s currently learning a trade outside! He can write and do calculations! Miss said, when the time comes…” Her face flushed red.
“You’re also marrying out? Not staying by Miss’s side…”
“To be honest, I grew up with Miss since we were little. Miss treats me like a sister. If I stay by her side, serving a man… it’s fine if it’s someone unrelated. But the closer the relationship, the more likely it is to turn sour!”
That was very likely. Hong Xing nodded in agreement.
“Besides, I’m not like you, beautiful and skillful. With my blunt personality, I might not please my husband. If I end up stuck in a difficult position, it wouldn’t be worth it! Marrying the future head steward, my life won’t be bad!”
“Ai, different people, different fates! I really envy you.”
“I envy you too! If I looked like you, I would definitely fight for myself!”
“What’s the use…” Hong Xing looked at her rough hands. Her hands were already like this, in the future if she married a servant… thinking of the calloused hands of those old women, she couldn’t help but shiver.
“That day when I heard about Chun Yan’s letter, I told our Miss, although we haven’t known each other long, I feel a connection with you. You’re beautiful and simple-minded. If Miss were to keep you by her side, you’d definitely be a great help.”
Hong Xing blushed.
“But our Miss said, with Eldest Miss around, how could she possibly ask for you? Fighting with the most favored legitimate eldest daughter in the family for a servant? What a joke! It’s a pity for you, clearly a talented person, but not valued.”
“Ai, let’s not even talk about whether Eldest Miss will bring you when she marries, but seeing her imposing manner… even after she’s married, she might not be willing to let her husband take concubines! She’s a woman with her own set of principles!”
Qiu Yan was both impressed and jealous.
After she left, Hong Xing remained silent for a long time.
These days, whenever Nurse Xu saw her, she had a dark expression and ignored her completely.
That’s understandable, she took the benefits but failed to accomplish anything… instead, she let Eldest Miss soar to great heights!
Anyone would be angry!
But even if Eldest Miss is doing well, I’m even worse off…
She habitually reached under the table…
Laba, listening from behind, was extremely annoyed: Such a small matter, they talked about it for so long?
Isn’t it just wanting Hong Xing to get rid of Eldest Miss, and then Second Miss promises to bring her along when she marries out, giving her to her husband as a concubine?
Going around in such a big circle, I’m tired just listening to it, with all this effort, couldn’t they have gotten rid of a few people?
Oh, silly Hong Xing, so cautious and conflicted about steamed buns and lotus root starch…
Quite pitiful!
